Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, passed away today, according to a statement from the company. He was 56.

"Steve's brilliance, passion and energy were the source of countless innovations that enrich and improve all of our lives," reads a statement from the company. "The world is immeasurably better because of Steve. His greatest love was for his wife, Laurene, and his family. Our hearts go out to them and to all who were touched by his extraordinary gifts."

"Apple has lost a visionary and creative genius, and the world has lost an amazing human being," Apple CEO Tim Cook wrote in an e-mail to employees. "Those of us who have been fortunate enough to know and work with Steve have lost a dear friend and an inspiring mentor. Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple."

"Steve died peacefully today surrounded by his family," reads a statement attributed to the Jobs family.

Jobs resigned from his position as CEO of Apple in August explaining that due to health concerns he could no longer "meet [his] duties and expectations as Apple's CEO." Jobs was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2004, later undergoing a liver transplant and taking medical leave from the company.